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Last fall’s Small Business Jobs Act extended the U.S. Small Business Administration’s (SBA) small-business lending program that eliminated the fees normally charged for loans through the SBA 7(a) and 504 loan programs, and increased the government guarantees on 7(a) loans from 75% to 90%. Fortunately, few spas need to wait for these laws to become a reality or for new lending programs to emerge because of the following alternative financial options.

Do-it-yourself funding

For many spa and wellness professionals, borrowing often means a loan from the operation’s owner or shareholder. U.S. tax laws create a number of obstacles that must be overcome in order to avoid the penalties and corresponding higher tax bills that can result when Internal Revenue Service (IRS) auditors restructure loans that don’t meet their criteria.

Whenever a loan is made between related entities, or when shareholders make loans to their incorporated spas, U.S. tax laws require a fair-market interest to be included. If not, the IRS will step in and make adjustments to the below-market interest rate transaction in order to properly reflect interest. How large the tax impact depends on the effect of added interest income to the lender, and the bite of an offsetting interest expense deduction felt by the borrower.

Hidden in plain sight

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In addition to those loans that a business often receives from its owner, there are a number of other types of funding available from a variety of lending sources. One method of raising capital involves selling the assets of your spa business. A sale-leaseback can not only generate needed funds, but it can also help improve cash flow by negotiating favorable terms when leasing equipment or other business assets. Also frequently ignored are the tax benefits of sale-leaseback transactions, both for the spas and its owners or executives.

Sale-leasebacks are usually structured to unlock the equity a business has in its buildings, machinery and equipment. Generally, the spa sells its assets at their fair market value to a financial institution—or to the business’s owner or executives—for a lump-sum payment. The new owner then leases the equipment back to the business.

Equity financing

Any quest for business funding should begin with an understanding of the various types of financing, where that funding may be found and at what cost. Or, put another way, what type of funding can best help the spa? Generally, there are two basic ways to fund the business: debt financing or equity financing. With debt financing, capital is received in the form of a loan that must be paid back. With equity financing, capital is received in exchange for part ownership in the spa.

Equity financing can come from a variety of sources, including the spa itself, the owner’s pockets or private investors. Remember, however, keeping control of your spa is more difficult when outside investors are involved.

Angel investors

Originally a term used to describe investors in Broadway shows, “angel” now refers to anyone who invests money in an entrepreneurial company. Angel investing has soared in recent years as a growing number of individuals seek better returns on their money than they can get from traditional investment vehicles. Among those classed as potential angels are those who provide services to a spa, such as lawyers, insurance agents or accountants. Angels may also be business associates that the owner or business are in regular contact with, such as suppliers or vendors, clients, employees and even the competition.

Thorough research

Whether you decide to obtain a loan through a financial institution or to explore an alternative form of financing, make sure to do thorough and complete research into each plausible option to decide which is best for your, your team members and your spa.

Mark E. Battersby has been providing professional prepared editorial material for magazines, newsletters, reports and websites for more than 25 years. Each week, his topical columns are syndicated in more than 65 publications. He also writes monthly columns for 14 trade magazines and has authored four books.